Hitch-Mountable Wagon Assembly With Retractable Wheels
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a hitch mountable cargo rack that can also function as a wagon, providing a convenient and stable means of transporting goods using a vehicle's trailer hitch.
Innovation Solution
A hitch mountable wagon assembly comprising a basket, frame, retractable wheels, and an adapter that secures to a vehicle's hitch receiver, allowing the wagon to be easily attached and detached for transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hitch mountable cargo rack is designed to also function as a wagon, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo rack is designed with dual functionality: it can be used as a stationary cargo rack when mounted to the hitch receiver, and as a movable wagon when detached and equipped with wheels. The same basic structure serves multiple purposes, eliminating the need for separate cargo rack and wagon devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The wagon is divided into separable components: the cargo rack portion that mounts to the hitch receiver, and the wheel assembly that can be attached or detached. This segmentation allows the user to configure the device according to needs - with wheels for wagon mode, or without for stationary rack mode.
2Ease of operation
If retractable wheels are added to enable wagon functionality, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheels are designed to be retractable rather than fixed, allowing them to be stored within the cargo rack structure when not in use. This dynamic configuration enables the wheels to be deployed when wagon functionality is needed and retracted when stationary rack mode is preferred, providing operational flexibility without permanent complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel assembly is designed to nest within the cargo rack structure when retracted. The wheels can be stored inside the cargo compartment or along the frame, utilizing existing space rather than adding external complexity. This nesting approach keeps the device compact in rack mode while enabling wagon mode when needed.
3Reliability
If an adapter is designed to securely mount the wagon to the hitch receiver, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
An adapter serves as an intermediary component between the cargo rack and the hitch receiver. This specialized mounting component provides a secure, reliable connection while isolating the complexity of the mounting mechanism from both the cargo rack structure and the vehicle hitch, allowing each to remain relatively simple while achieving reliable attachment.
Data Source
AI summary
A hitch mountable wagon assembly includes a wagon that includes a basket; a frame along a perimeter of the basket; a pair of tubular structures attached underneath a bottom of the basket; an insertion piece attached underneath the bottom of the basket and between the pair of tubular structures; and four retractable wheels mounted at four corners of the frame. The hitch mountable wagon assembly also includes an adapter configured to removably mount the wagon to a hitch receiver of a vehicle. The adapter includes a pair of forks insertable into the pair of tubular structures of the wagon; a first receiver extension between the pair of forks, configured to receive the insertion piece of the wagon; and a second receiver extension receivable by the hitch receiver of the vehicle.